The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-22

yond this, eastward and northward extend
interminable streets OF small houses, with
now and then flowery court or pretty
rose. garden, occupied mainly by people
of French aud Spanish descent. The
African pervades all parts OF the town,
except the new residence portion of the
American quarter. This, which occupies
the vast area in the bend OF the river west
of the business blocks as far ae Carrollton,
is in character great village rather than
a city. Not all its broad avenues and
handsome streets are paved land those
that are not are in some seasons impass-
able), its houses are nearly all of wood,
nearly all of them detached, with plots
Of ground and gardens, and as the
quarter is very well shaded, the effect is
bright and agreeable. In it are many
stately residences, occupying square
or half a square, aud EMPOWERED in foil
age and flowers. Care has been given
lately TO turf culture, and one sees here
thick set and handsome lawns. The
broad Eeplanade street, with its elegant
old-fashioned houses, and double rows of
shade trees, which has long been the
rural pride of the French quarter, has
now rivals in responsibility and style on
the American side.
New Orleans is said to be delightful in
the late fall months, before the winter
rains set in, but believe it looks it's best
in March and April. This is owing to
the roses. If the town was not attached
to the name of the Crescent City, it might
very well adopt the title of the City Of
Roses. So kind are climate and soil that
the magnificent varieties of this queen of
flowers, which at the North bloom only
i'll hothouses, or with great care are
planted outdoors in the heat of our sum-
mer, thrive here in the open air in prodi-
gal abundance and beauty. In April the
town is literally EMPOWERED in them;
they fill the door yards and gardens,
they overruu the porches, they climb
the sides Of the houses, they spread
over the trees, they take possession OF
trellisee ard fences and walls, pertaining
the air and enhancing the heart with
color. In the outlying parks, like that
Of the Jockey Club, and the florists gar
dens of Carrollton, there are fields of
them, acres of the finest sorts, waving in
the spring wind. Alas! can beauty ever
satisfy? This wonderful spectacle fills
one with know not what exquisite long
ing. These flowers pervade the town, old
| women on the street corners sit behind
banks of them, the florists windows blush
with them, friends despatch to each other
| great baskets of them, the favorites at
the theatre and the amateur performers
stand behind high barbados of roses
which the good-humored audience piles
upon the stage, everybody carries roses
and wears roses, and the houses overflow
| with them. In this passion for flowers
| you may read prominent trait of the
people. For myself I like to see spot
on this earth where beauty is enjoyed for
itself and let to run to waste, but if ever
the industrial spirit of the French Ital-
ians should prevail along q, littoral of
Louisiana and Mississippi, the raising of
| flowers for the manufacture of perfumes
would become most profitable industry.
Charles Dudley Warner, IN January
| Harper